USF vs Augustana Women’s Basketball

Story by Kiara James

If you’ve ever seen the USF women’s basketball team play, you immediately understand the talent and closeness of the group. At the start of the 2021- 2022 season, the team signed eleven players, and since that time the women have continuously proved themselves on the court.

The Cougars had a rough start to the season and lost the first two games back-to-back. As the season progressed, they continued to face tough competitors from the north and south divisions. Along the way, the team found a way to win when it mattered most. To ensure that the team would host the first-round playoff game in the NSIC Sanford Health Tournament, they had to beat their longtime rival, Augustana University.

Covid-19 changed the nature of sports forever. Weekly covid tests, mask mandates, and vaccinations stripped many athletes of the true nature of sports. This year was different. The stands were full, emotions were high, and adrenaline filled the players.

This was the most monumental game of the year and it was a chance to show school spirit, honor our seniors, and bring pride to every USF fan that came out and supported the team throughout the season.

The battle began when the referee sounded his whistle. Both teams did everything in their power to keep the other from scoring and battled hard for the entire duration of the game. When the final buzzer rang, the Cougars had defeated the Vikings and the entire Stewart Center erupted with cheers. The players rushed to the locker room overjoyed knowing that they had just se- cured the number three seed in the southern NSIC division. Though the Cougars defeated their longtime rival, the entire team knew that there was still work to be done if they wanted a chance at becoming the NSIC conference champion.